Well, if any of you want to buy me a gift, I am really into bass fishing. And collecting hand tools. And power tools.. And test equipment...
An ode to that “coffee friend”
11–20 of 264 posts
Re: An ode to that “coffee friend”
#12I do the exact opposite. Buying a gift for an expert when you are not an expert is always going to lead to disappointment, no matter how well they hide it. I buy gifts only from areas that I am an expert in, and I hope my friends may not be as enthusiastic about the area as I am, but at least we both know I got them the best for them.
Indeed. IMO the article draws the exact opposite conclusion from what they should get their expert friend, something that is not which they likely know little about.
Re: An ode to that “coffee friend”
#13I do the exact opposite. Buying a gift for an expert when you are not an expert is always going to lead to disappointment, no matter how well they hide it. I buy gifts only from areas that I am an expert in, and I hope my friends may not be as enthusiastic about the area as I am, but at least we both know I got them the best for them.
I am "that coffee friend", and I disagree. I appreciate the coffee anyone might get me. It doesn't have to be fancy, it may be fantastic or it may not be - but it's very thoughtful, and I always appreciate it.
Generally people shouldn't get me coffee gear - as that could lead to disappointment. But the beans themself? always well received.
Re: An ode to that “coffee friend”
#14I do the exact opposite. Buying a gift for an expert when you are not an expert is always going to lead to disappointment, no matter how well they hide it. I buy gifts only from areas that I am an expert in, and I hope my friends may not be as enthusiastic about the area as I am, but at least we both know I got them the best for them.
It depends. As a coffee nerd (but not a snob) a 250g bag of coffee goes fast and even if it's not the best would be appreciated. As someone who likes to cook, kitchen stuff is likely to go into the drawer and not see the light of day again until I move.
Re: An ode to that “coffee friend”
#15I do the exact opposite. Buying a gift for an expert when you are not an expert is always going to lead to disappointment, no matter how well they hide it. I buy gifts only from areas that I am an expert in, and I hope my friends may not be as enthusiastic about the area as I am, but at least we both know I got them the best for them.
I am "that coffee friend", and I disagree. I appreciate the coffee anyone might get me. It doesn't have to be fancy, it may be fantastic or it may not be - but it's very thoughtful, and I always appreciate it. Generally people shouldn't get me coffee gear - as that could lead to disappointment. But the beans themself? always well received.
> Generally people shouldn't get me coffee gear - as that could lead to disappointment
Family member once heard I was getting into cooking, and bought me these bad, half oven mitts. I feel lousy every time they come over now: their oven mitts were quickly replaced.
But yeah – buying me a small, consumable gift will always be a treasured thing, and never an inconvenience. At worst, I don't enjoy the coffee much. I still received a gift and got to hear a story of its purchase.
Re: An ode to that “coffee friend”
#16I do the exact opposite. Buying a gift for an expert when you are not an expert is always going to lead to disappointment, no matter how well they hide it. I buy gifts only from areas that I am an expert in, and I hope my friends may not be as enthusiastic about the area as I am, but at least we both know I got them the best for them.
Indeed. IMO the article draws the exact opposite conclusion from what they should get their expert friend, something that is not which they likely know little about.
The coffee friend appreciates the thought that went into the naïve gift, even if it’s not exactly what they would have picked out themselves.
Re: An ode to that “coffee friend”
#17Re: An ode to that “coffee friend”
#18I do the exact opposite. Buying a gift for an expert when you are not an expert is always going to lead to disappointment, no matter how well they hide it. I buy gifts only from areas that I am an expert in, and I hope my friends may not be as enthusiastic about the area as I am, but at least we both know I got them the best for them.
Agreed. Beans from an exotic location are widely available worldwide, and they might care about how they were roasted as much as the origin. A gift voucher for a good local roaster might be good.
Or ask them what gadget they want next for their setup.
Re: An ode to that “coffee friend”
#19I do the exact opposite. Buying a gift for an expert when you are not an expert is always going to lead to disappointment, no matter how well they hide it. I buy gifts only from areas that I am an expert in, and I hope my friends may not be as enthusiastic about the area as I am, but at least we both know I got them the best for them.
It’s not the value of the gift, it’s the thoughtfulness. “I know you like X, and I thought about you” is a very different sentiment than “Let me gift you with my expertise.” The economists I’ve talked to say if you’re maximizing Utility then give cash.
Part of thoughtfulness is, "is this going to just sit in a drawer and take up space?"
I absolutely appreciate the thought, but a tool I won't use because it doesn't match my needs or is just unergonomic is a waste.
Re: An ode to that “coffee friend”
#20I do the exact opposite. Buying a gift for an expert when you are not an expert is always going to lead to disappointment, no matter how well they hide it. I buy gifts only from areas that I am an expert in, and I hope my friends may not be as enthusiastic about the area as I am, but at least we both know I got them the best for them.
It’s not the value of the gift, it’s the thoughtfulness. “I know you like X, and I thought about you” is a very different sentiment than “Let me gift you with my expertise.” The economists I’ve talked to say if you’re maximizing Utility then give cash.
The comedians say “cash: the gift card you can use anywhere!”